These seminars are primarily aimed at research students in the School, who are
expected to attend where possible. However many of them will be of much wider
interest, and all members of the academy community are very welcome to attend.
The goals of research degree study. What can you expect to achieve. Conducting
research vs apprenticeship in research techniques.
What makes a good / bad topic. The relative importance of background in a topic
/ enthusiasm for a topic. Getting feedback on your topic.
The importance of a guiding hypothesis for the structure of your work: your
thesis. The evolution of sub-hypotheses.
A pilot web based resource for research students which has two components:
research methods, and producing a proposal.
How does technical writing differ from other writing. The structure of a good
paper. The writing process. What if your native language is not English? Where
to go for assistance. The importance of feedback.
The structure of supervision at UNSW. What does a co-supervisor do? The UNSW
postgraduate reporting system. The rules governing research degree candidature.
Software: TeX & LaTeX; MS Word; Hotpoint; WWW. How to use it. Where to go
for assistance
The computing facilities and network; expectations regarding use of school
equipment. The software available on various platforms; arrangements for
assistance.
Office facilities and support; their use by students
How does a thesis differ from a series of papers. 'Writing up' vs writing
continuously. The structure of a thesis.
What can you expect from your supervisor? What can your supervisor expect from
you? Matching student and supervisor styles. Sharing credit for work - when
should your supervisor be a co-author? What if it's not working out?
Determining what to read. Searching the literature. The relationship between a
literature review and a bibliography.
The relationship between a literature review and a bibliography (continued).
What does a completed literature review look like? What will examiners look for?
Finding information on the net. Authoring information on the net. Referencing
information on the net. Cooperative net-based research.
Summary of available techniques. Social science and engineering models; their
applicability to IS research. Pros and cons of mixing models.
Summary of available techniques. The scientific, mathematical and engineering
models; their applicability to CS research. Pros and cons of mixing models.
Quantitative vs qualitative validation. The pros and cons of statistical
validation; summary of techniques. The pros and cons of case studies.
Developing skills; building up contacts and a reputation in your chosen field;
building credibility for your work. School policy on financial assistance with
conference attendance.
What is involved in a good presentation; the importance of practice;
opportunities for dry runs.
Written vs oral presentations. Technical reports vs conference papers vs
journal papers.
The formal procedure; the possible results. How are examiners chosen? What are
examiners looking for? What options do examiners have? The role of the Higher
Degree Committee; its options. The post-examination process.